Cities and Citizens

Course goals

Learning outcomes: after completing the course, you will have attained the following learning outcomes:

• in-depth knowledge and understanding of historical developments related to the course topic;
• in-depth knowledge of the historiography within the course topic;
• in-depth knowledge of the theoretical discourse about this topic;
• knowledge of a relevant historical case pertaining to the specialised topic.

Learning objectives and skills: after completing the course, you will be able to:  

• critically reflect and actively participate in classroom discussions about the topic;
• apply concepts, historiography and theories connected with the course topic;
• collaborate in reading and writing groups (tutorial groups);
• devise and develop a research question on the basis of an in-depth case study of their choice;
• apply their newly acquired knowledge of the theoretical discourse and historiography to a case study of their choice;
• conduct independent research focusing (mainly) on in-depth secondary literature.

Content

This is the second course of Specialisation 1: Foundations of Europe

What is a city? What rights does a citizen have and are there any duties associated with citizenship? These questions have been asked by philosophers, rulers and scientists since the birth of the earliest cities, through to the city-states of the Middle Ages, and up until today. Citizenship is a central element in the political ideas that shaped Europe, ideas that have greatly influenced our modern political constellations.

In this course, we look at the foundations of the modern citizen-state through several lenses: Athenian democracy, the ever-expanding citizenship in the Roman Empire, and the citizenry in cities and city-states during the Middle Ages. We investigate how philosophers and writers defined the concepts of city, state, and citizenship and what ideas we have adopted, or rejected, today. What role did equality and the common good play in Greek poleis, Roman civitates, and medieval cities, and what mechanisms were employed to ensure the ideal of civic equality and justice? We also consider the relationship between religion and politics in the institutions of the polis, the civitas, and the medieval city, and various tensions between rulers and citizens. Finally, the position of women is highlighted, including the extent to which they could fully participate in civic life, as well as the way in which cities forged networks and engaged in diplomatic activities.

You will be introduced to two and a half millennia of civic and urban life and learn to debate essential differences and similarities between ancient, medieval and modern cities.

Additional information

Early Exit option for international exchange students (5 ECTS)
Exchange students who are required to return to their home university before January, are allowed to choose an Early Exit option for this course. The Early Exit option means that students can finish the course before Christmas break, receiving 5 ECTS for the course. Students must make arrangements with the course coordinator at the start of the course.